Using Dichotomous Keys

TURNER COLLEGE & CAREER HIGH SCHOOL  2016

How is life organized?
Life is organized at all levels from cells to
biosphere
◦ All Organisms and systems are organized from
simple parts into complex systems that must
maintain homeostasis in order to survive.
But what if we find things we
don't know and we want to
know what they are?
We use something’s characteristics in a similar
way using…
What’s my
name !?
Dichotomous Keys
A dichotomous key is a tool that allows the user to
determine the identity of items in the natural world
based on the items characteristics.
"Dichotomous" means divided into two parts.
Dichotomous keys always give two distinct choices in
each step, often they are opposites.
Black/white; good/evil; pointed/rounded
How to use a
Dichotomous Key?
Here are creatures we don’t know!

Lets choose one

How to use a
Dichotomous Key?
Choose only one creature at a time.
How to use a
Dichotomous Key?
• Read steps 1a and 1b
1a. The creature has two eyes. Go to step 2.
1b. The creature has one eye. Go to step 5.

• Decide which statement is true.

•Statement 1b is true.

• Go to Step 5, skipping steps 2-4.

How to use a
Dichotomous Key?
• At 5, you make another dichotomous choice.
• Read steps 5a and 5b
5a. The creature has 1 or more antennae. Go to step 6.
5b. The creature has no antennae. Its name is A.

• Decide which statement is true.

•Statement 5a is true.

• Go to Step 6.
How to use a
Dichotomous Key?
Keep going until you come to a step that gives
you the creature’s name.
•Read steps 6a and 6b
6a. The creature has 1 antennae. Go to step 7.
6b. The creature has 2 antennae. Its name is C.

•Decide which statement is true.

•Statement 6b is true.
How to use a
Dichotomous Key?

• Choose a new creature and start at Step 1a and 1b

again.
• Continue until you find the creature’s name.
• Then find all the creature’s names.
What if I need to Make
a Dichotomous Key:
• Use constant characteristics rather than variable ones.
(Flowers change with the seasons)
• Use measurements rather than terms like "large" and "small".
• Make the choice a positive one
• Something "is" instead of "is not".
• Ex: snake ears are internal only
• If possible, start both choices of a pair with the same
word or item.
• The body is “round” vs the body is “square”
• Finish the dichotomous key with a full description of the
organism.
Dichotomous Keys
NOW…